Sweaty Palms?

Campus Recreation in the 21st Century:

January 17, 2012

Addressing Over-Exercise and Eating Disorders

Adrian A. Shepard Coordinator of Integrated Wellness Winona State University

The college experience prepares young adults for meaning, purpose, and success by providing the tools necessary for living well-balanced lifestyles. Life-long learning transcends the classroom and extends well into student life and, more specifically, campus recreation. Recreation significantly impacts and influences the lives of college students via the missions set forth by campus recreation departments and woven into the fabric of university life. With an overall shift towards whole person wellness how do we address high-risk behaviors such as over-exercise and eating disorders occurring within the campus recreation setting?

Questions seeking best practices and the identification of universities with established protocols for addressing over-exercise and eating disorders in campus recreation are routinely posed through professional association listservs and at conferences. Though few, campus recreation literature specific to the subject including the role campus recreation professionals can play and suggested strategies has been published in the Recreational Spots Journal (RSJ) in 1989 and 1998.

In December 2009 an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) research clearinghouse approved study was administered to NIRSA members about over-exercise, anorexia, and bulimia. The NIRSA National Center (NNC) identified a sample population that included one professional from each of the NIRSA member institutions with a professional fitness and/or wellness employment position. During a two-week span 128 of 258 people responded for a 50% response rate. In 2011, the results and implications were published by RSJ in an article titled Assessing Over-Exercise, Anorexia, and Bulimia in Campus Recreation.Over-Exercise Findings

79.4% had been made aware of or personally observed facility users presenting symptoms and/or behaviors associated with over-exercise

64.8% indicated they didn’t have guidelines in place

47.3% cited lack of knowledge pertaining to subject matter

35.4% cited lack of on-campus resources

29.1% cited lack of confidence pertaining to the subject matter

35.4% stated they had guidelines in place

97.7% agreed or strongly agreed guidelines have been helpful

95.8% indicated that campus recreation guidelines for over-exercise would help their department better handle such situations

Eating Disorders Findings

63.8% had been made aware of or personally observed facility users presenting symptoms and/or behaviors associated with eating disorders

96% indicated they didn’t have guidelines in place

61.9% cited lack of knowledge pertaining to subject matter

47.6% cited lack of confidence pertaining to the subject matter

33.3% cited lack of on-campus resources

4% indicated they had guidelines in place

96.8% agreed or strongly agreed guidelines have been helpful

95.6% indicated that campus recreation guidelines for eating disorders would help their department better handle such situations

By nature of their role, campus recreation staffs can serve as partners in the unhealthy behaviors identification, intervention, and education processes. Research and literature point towards the necessity of advancing discussions pertaining to the development of campus recreation guidelines for addressing instances of over-exercise and eating disorders. That said, campus recreation departments can be proactive by identifying and facilitating discussions with collaborative partners on campus and within the community with the goal of establishing department specific protocols based on the resources at hand. As revealed in the NIRSA study, counselors primarily address instances of these unhealthy behaviors. Fortunately, 78% of research respondents indicated reporting to the Student Affairs umbrella, which is the likely home for allies in establishing guidelines addressing over-training and eating disorders.

The following is a list of things to consider when developing and implementing departmental guidelines for identifying and addressing unhealthy behaviors:

Educate and train professional and student employees about these behaviors and how to report them if they suspect something’s wrong; invite healthcare professionals to assist with and/or lead these efforts

Establish a streamlined and confidential reporting process

Designate your department’s point person and implement a clear, consistent, and time-efficient chain of communication with your collaborative partners

Learn about and adhere to confidential record keeping practices

Evaluate your protocol on a regular basis and modify as necessary

Create and make available an educational handout about over-exercise and eating disorders

Keep in mind that you and your co-workers are role models – what you say and how you dress can have a direct impact on those you come in contact with

Campus recreation professionals work in an educational setting fostering creativity and collaboration. Just as importantly, the environment provides for access to qualified personnel that can assist with the process of identifying and addressing instances of over-exercise and eating disorders in campus recreation as part of a behavioral response team. Furthermore, campus recreation professionals are in the position to contribute observation, expertise, and insight towards shaping campus prevention and response efforts. Through collaborative and educational efforts campus recreation professionals have the ability to proactively develop and implement guidelines for identifying and addressing these unhealthy behaviors. By branching out and connecting with qualified personnel on campus and in the community to establish preventive measures addressing over-exercise and eating disorders, campus recreation staffs continue to play an integral and dynamic role in the 21st century campus community by further providing the constituents they serve with the education, skills, and guidance necessary for achieving life-long wellness.

Peer Resources
The following campus recreation professionals are willing to share their experience and guidelines. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of institutions with established protocols.